The year was 1853. George Crum was a chef at the upscale Moon’s Lake House in Saratoga Springs, NY.
One day, a patron complained about Mr. Crum’s fried potatoes. He called them soggy and bland. He sent them back and demanded a new batch.
Mr. Crum did not deal well with the feedback. He proceeded to slice a potato into paper-thin cuts and fried them until they were so delicate you could shatter them with a light pressure between two fingers. Next, he over-salted his new creation and sent it out to the disappointed patron.
The patron? He loved it so much that he ordered a second serving.
The word quickly spread, and soon Saratoga Chips were known all over New England.
Today, we have a multi-billion dollar snack industry that simply begun as an intended insult.
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